A

M A N U A L
of
MILITARY EXERCISE
and
COMMONLY PRACTICED
M A N O E V R E S.

H. M. 10th Regiment of Foot, American Contingent

LEXINGTON:
Printed and DiTributed by the Regiment.

2 0 0 6.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 0306MILDRL-REV02

 Ceremonial For The Army 2006

“The finest edge is made with the blunt whetstone”

(John Lyly: Euphues 1579)

By Order of The Commanding Officer.

This publication supersedes all previous Military Drill manuals and

instructions from HM 10th Regiment of Foot, American Contingent

This 5th Day of March in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Six

Richard E. Amsterdam
Captain, Adjutant

© 2006, His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot, American Contingent

44

M A N U A L
of
MILITARY EXERCISE
and
COMMONLY PRACTICED

M A N O E V R E S.

SECT. I.
The Manual Exercise.
The Manual Exercise,
as Ordered By His Majesty, in 1764.1
I. Poise your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
1st. Seize the Firelock with your right Hand, and turn the Lock outwards,
keeping the Firelock perpendicular.
2d. Bring up the Firelock with a quick Motion from the Shoulder, and
seize it with the left Hand just above the Lock, so that the little Finger may
rest upon the Spring, and the Thumb lie upon the Stock ; The Firelock
must not be held too far from the Body, and the left Hand must be of equal
height with the Eyes.

II. Cock your Firelocks ! Two Motions.

1st. Turn the Barrel opposite to your Face, and place your Thumb upon
the Cock, raising the Elbow square at this Motion.
2d. Cock your Firelock, by drawing your Elbow down, placing your
Thumb upon the Breech Pin, and the Fingers under the guard.

III. Present ! One Motion.

Step back about six Inches to the Rear with the right Foot, bringing
the left Toe to the Front ; at the same Time the Butt End of the Fire-lock
must be brought to an equal Height with your Shoulder, placing

1
The Manual Exercise, New York, 1775.
 2 43

the left Hand on the Swell, and the Fore-Finger of the right Hand before
the Tricker, sinking the Muzzle a little.

IV. Fire ! One Motion.

Pull the Tricker briskly, and immediately after bringing up the right
Foot, come to the Priming Position, with the Lock opposite to the right
Breast, the Muzzle the height of the Hat, keeping it firm and steady, and at
the same Time seize the Cock with the Fore-Finger and Thumb of the right
Hand, the back of the Hand turn’d up.
[To come to the Priming Position, bring the right Foot up and place the
right Heel behind the Left. The Body should be half-faced to the Right with
the Barrel pointing straight forward.]

V. Half Cock your Firelocks ! One Motion.

Half bend the Cock briskly with a draw back of the right Elbow, bringing
it close to the Butt of the Firelock.

VI. Handle your Cartridge ! One Motion.

Bring your right Hand with a short Round to your Pouch, slapping it
hard ; seize the Cartridge, an bring it with a quick Motion to your Mouth,
bite the Top well off and bring the Hand as low as the Chin, with the
Elbow down.

VII. Prime ! One Motion.

Shake the Powder into the Pan, placing the three last Fingers behind the
Hammer, with the Elbow up.

VIII. Shut your Pans ! Two Motions.

1st. Shut your Pan briskly, drawing your right Arm at this motion towards
your Body, holding the Cartridge fast in your right Hand, as in the former
Position.
2d. Turn the Piece nimbly round to the loading Position, with the Lock
to the Front, and the Muzzle the Height of the Chin, bringing the right
Hand behind the Muzzle ; both Feet kept fast in this Motion.
 42
SECT. IV.
The Firings.
Art. I. The Rapid Fire Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Art. II. Explanations of the Position of Each Rank in the Firings 26
Art. III. Firing by Ranks in Extended Order . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Art. IV. Street Firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Art. V. Parapet Firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Art. VI. Oblique Firing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
x Muzzle back-handed.
SECT. V.
Sentries.
Art. I. The Manner of Relieving Sentries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Art. II. The Duty of Sentries upon Their Posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
x
SECT. VI.
Military Courtesies.
Art. I. Saluting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Art. II. Respect and Compliments from the Soldiers to the Non-
commission-officers, and from Both to the Officers. . . . . . . . . . .34
x
SECT. VII.
The Funeral Exercise.
Art. I. Reverse Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Art. II. Mourn Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
x 2d. Quit the right Hand and throw it down the right Side.
SECT. VIII.
Safety Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
x
3
IX. Charge with Cartridge ! Two Motions.
1st. Turn up your Hand and put the Cartridge into the Muzzle, shaking
the Powder into the Barrel.
2d. Place your Hand, closed, with a quick and strong Motion, upon the
Rammer.
X. Draw your Rammers ! Two Motions.
1st. Draw the Rammer with a quick Motion, half out, seizing it at the
2d. Draw it quite out, turn it, and enter it into the Muzzle.
XI. Ram down your Cartridge ! One Motion.
Ram the Cartridge well down the Barrel, instantly recovering and seizing
the Rammer back-handed at the Center, turning it and entering it as far as
the lower Pipe, placing at the same Time the Edge of the Hand on the Butt
End of the Rammer, with the Fingers extended.
XII. Return your Rammers ! One Motion.
Return the Rammer, bringing up the Piece with the left Hand to the
Shoulder, seizing it with the right Hand under the Cock, keeping the left
Hand fast at the Swell, turning the Body square to the Front.
XIII. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
1st. Quit the left Hand and place it strong upon the Butt.
XIV. Rest your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Seize the Firelock with the right Hand, turning the Lock outwards.
2d. Raise the Firelock from your Shoulder, and place your left
Hand with a quick Motion above the Lock, holding the Piece right up
and down in both Hands before you, and your left Hand even with
your Eyes.
3d. Step briskly back with your right Foot, placing it a Hand’s
Breadth distant from your left Heel, at the same Time bring down the
Firelock as quick as possible to the Rest, sinking it as far down before
 4 41
your left Knee as your right Hand will permit without Constraint ; your
left Hand at the Feather Spring, and your Right with Fingers extended
held under the Guard, taking care to draw in the Muzzle well towards your
Body, and to dress in a Line with the Butt-End.
I
XV. Order your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Place your Firelock nimbly with your left Hand against your right
Shoulder.
2d. Quit the Firelock with the right Hand, and sinking it at the same
Time with your Left, seize it at the Muzzle, which must be of an equal
Height with your Chin, and hold it close against your right Side.
3d. Lift up your right Foot and place it by your Left ; at the same Time
throw back your left Hand by your left Side, and with your Right, bring
down the Butt-End strong upon the Ground, placing it even with the Toe
of your right Foot ; the Thumb of your right Hand lying along the Barrel,
and the Muzzle kept at a little Distance from your Body.
XVI. Ground your Firelocks ! Four Motions.
i
1st. Face to the Right upon your Heels, and at the same Time turn the
Firelock so that the Lock may point to the Rear, and the flat of the Butt-
End lie against the inside of your Foot, at the same Time slipping the right
Foot, behind the Butt of the Firelock, the right Toe pointing to the Right,
and the Left to the Front.
2d. Step directly forward with your left Foot about as far as the Swell of
the Firelock, and lay it upon the Ground, your left Hand hanging down by
your left Foot, and your Right kept fast with the Butt-End against it.
3d. Raise yourself up again nimbly, bringing back your left Foot to its
former Position, keeping your Body faced to the Right.
4th. Face again to the Left upon your Heels, and come to your proper
Front, letting your Hands hang down without Motion.
XVII. Take up your Firelocks ! Four Motions.
1st. Face to the Right upon both Heels.
2d. Sink your Body down, and come to the Position described in the
second Motion of Grounding.
3d. Raise yourself, and Firelock, bringing it close to your right Side.
i
The Contents.
SECT. I.
The Manual Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SECT.II
Motions Generally Practiced though not in the Manual Exercise :
Art. I. Slope Firelocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Art. II. Trail Firelocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Art. III. Trail Firelocks (from Order) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Art. IV. Advance Firelocks (from Order) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Art. V. Charge Bayonets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Art. VI. Support Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Art. VII. Ease Arms, &c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Art. VIII. Inspection of Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 12
Art. IX. Club Firelocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Art. X. Port Arms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
SECT. III.
Of Marching and Wheeling :
Art. I. Position of a Soldier Under Arms ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Art. II. The Slow Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Art. III. The Route Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Art. IV. Facings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Art. V. Halting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Art. VI. Taking Open Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Art. VII. Wheeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 18
Art. VIII. The Oblique Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Art. IX. Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Art. X. Indian File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Art. XI. Advance from the Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Art. XII. Advance from the Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Art. XIII. Extending Ranks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Art. XIV. Opening Ranks at a Slow Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Art. XV. Dispersing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
 40
No “ hand-to-hand ” Combat shall be portrayed unless it is part of a
scripted Battle.
No “ bayonetting ” of “ wounded ” Re-enactors is permitted.
Weapons may not be fired when opposing Forces are closer than 40
Yards. In all Circumstances, the Barrels of the Muskets must be elevated
over the Heads of the opposing Forces.
If an artillery Piece is to be overrun according to a Scenario, the Gunners
shall indicate that the Piece is unloaded and safe by leaving the Rammer
inside the Barrel of the Cannon, while the Gunners lie “ wounded ” under
and around the Piece.
No Member should be loaded during a Bayonet Charge. If a Charge is
ordered, and the Member is loaded, he should immediately dump the Charge.
When the Musket does not fire, there is always the possibility that a
“ Hang Fire ” may cause the Musket to discharge a few Seconds later.
Therefore, in the Event that the musket does not discharge, keep the Piece
pointed at the Ground, or at a safe Direction, while the Musket is either re-
primed or the Barrel emptied.
When the Musket is loaded, and an Order is given to “ Order Firelocks,”
it is imperative that Members do not place their Hands over the Muzzle of
the Barrel.
Before appearing in Ranks, each Member should inspect his own Musket,
running the Rammer down the Barrel, making sure the Rammer “ pings,”
indicating a clean Barrel. Remember, each Man is responsible for the Safety
of his Musket.
No Weapon should fire when Pressure is applied to the Trigger while
the Musket is at the “ Half Cock ” Position.
No Member shall appear in Ranks with a Musket that he feels is unsafe.
All Muskets must be well-cleaned, oiled, and kept in complete and thorough
Repair.
The Signal to Cease-fire is communicated by a Hat held atop either a
Pole-arm or Sword, or by the Cease-fire Beat of the Drum. (All Members
must become familiar with this Drum Beat.) When a Cease-fire is sounded,
all Members must immediately cease firing and come to the Shoulder
Position.
F I N I S.
5
4th. Come to your proper Front, seizing the Firelock at the Muzzle, as
in Explanation fifteen.
XVIII. Rest your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Slip your right Hand down the Barrel as far as the Swell.
2d. Raise the Firelock high up in a perpendicular Line from the Ground
with your right Hand, and seize it with the Left above the Spring, the Cock
the Height of the Waist-Belt.
3d. Step back with your right Foot, placing it behind your left Heel, and
come to the Rest.
XIX. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
1st. Lift up your right Foot and place it by your Left ; bringing the
Firelock at the same Time to your left Shoulder, and seize the Butt-End
with the left Hand, keeping it in the same Position as above described.
2d. Throw your right Hand briskly back.
XX. Secure your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Bring the right Hand briskly up, and place it under the Cock, keeping
the Firelock steady in the same Position.
2d. Quit the Butt with the left Hand, and seize the Firelock with it at
the Swell, bringing the Elbow close down under the Lock : The right Hand
kept fast in this Motion, and the Piece still upright.
3d. Quit right Hand and bring it down your right Side. bringing the
Firelock nimbly down to the Secure ; the left Hand in a Line with the
Waist-Belt.
XXI. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Bring the Firelock up to a perpendicular Line, seizing it with the
right Hand under the Cock.
2d. Quit the left Hand, and place it strong upon the Butt.
3d. Quit right Hand, and bring it smartly down the Right Side.
 6 39
XXII. Fix your Bayonets ! Three Motions.
1st. and 2d. Motions as in the two first of the Secure.
3d. Quit right Hand, and bring the Firelock smartly down to the left
Side with the left Hand, as far as it will admit without Constraint, seizing
the Bayonet at the same Time with the right Hand, and fixing it, placing
that Hand just below the Brass, with the Piece kept close to the hollow of
the Shoulder.
XXIII. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Quit right Hand and bring up the Firelock with the Left, Seize it
under the Cock with your Right, as in the second motion of the Secure.
2d. Quit the left Hand, and place it strong upon the Butt.
3d. Quit right Hand, and bring it down the right Side.
XXIV. Present your Arms ! Three Motions.
As explained in the three Motions of the fourteenth Word of Command.
XXV. To the Right Face ! Three Motions.
1st. Bring up the Firelock, with a quick Motion high before you, till
your left Hand comes even with your Eyes, with the Fingers of the Hand
extended along the Stock, just above the Feather Spring. The right Foot to
be brought close up to the left Heel in this Motion.
2d. Face to the Right, taking care in Facing to hold the Firelock right up
and down, and steady in your Hands.
3d. Step back with your right Foot and come down to your Present.
XXVI. To the Right Face ! Three Motions.
As in the foregoing Explanation.
The Tenth Regiment portrays a military Organization, and as part of
this Portrayal, “ Officers ” and “ Non-commissioned Officers,” (“ N.C.O.s’ ”),
will issue “ Commands ” and give “ Orders.” These Commands and Orders,
however, are similar to Lines in a theatrical Production. As such, all
Members are expected to refuse an unsafe “ Command ” and to initiate a
Halt to Activities when an unsafe Condition is observed. Accordingly, if
following the Direction of an Officer or N.C.O. would compromise Safety,
each Member has an affirmative Duty to point out the Danger, and has
complete Discretion to fall out of Ranks.
The following safety Provisions should be followed by every Member
of His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot. These Rules, however, are not
comprehensive, and your good Sense must be your Guide at all Times.
All Members should be aware of all local, state, and federal Laws
concerning the Transportation and Possession of their Muskets.
Members shall never demonstrate the Firing Sequence of their Musket
if the Musket has recently been fired and not yet cleaned.
Members must take special Care that their Muskets are placed in a safe
Location while at an Event attended by the Public.
Rammers will be carried, but they may not be drawn or used when
firing with live Cartridges.
Hammerstalls must be employed when the Musket is in a non-firing
Sequence.
A functioning Flash Guard shall always be employed.
No alcoholic Beverages should be consumed by Anyone employing a
Firearm.
No loose Ball, or Ball-loaded Cartridges of any type, may be carried
when live firing is involved.
No Cartridge shall be fastened with anything that may fall into the
Barrel while firing. (e.g. a Staple).
Members shall never discard Cartridges that contain any amount of
black Powder. Before discarding, every Member must ensure that the Powder
has been thoroughly removed from the Cartridge .
If so ordered, Troops may have to retain their empty paper Cartridges
after firing. If this is the Case, these empty Rolls shall be placed in the
Haversack or Coat Pocket.
When the Event is finished, all Members must return all unused Powder.
Powder shall not be carried unless it is housed in an appropriate powder
Chest.
 38
Art. II. Mourn Arms.
Battalion will Rest on your Arms Reversed ! Mourn Arms !
(from Present.) Five motions.
1st. Bring up the right Foot to the usual “ Position of a Soldier.” At the
same Time, raise the Firelock about six Inches and place the right Hand
under the Butt, the first two Joints of the Fingers grasping the left Side of
the Butt.
2d. Turn the Firelock over to the Front, Muzzle leading, by rotating it
through the Hands so that the Position of the Firelock is reversed with the
Muzzle pointing toward the Ground. Lower the Muzzle onto the Toe of
the left Foot, with the Butt in Front of the Centre of the Body, keep the
Elbows raised so that the Forearms are parallel with the Ground. [To a
Count of Eight.]
3d. Place the left Hand on the Heel of the Butt, to the Front, Elbow up,
Forearm parallel with the Ground.
4th. Slowly lower the Elbows. [To a count of Six.]
5th. Slowly lower the Chin onto the Breast. [To a Count of Four.]
Present Arms ! (from Mourn.) Three motions.
1st. Raise the Head and place the Hollow of the right Foot behind the
left Heel. At the same Instant, quit the Butt with the right Hand and seize
the Small of the Butt with the back of the Hand inwards.
2d. The left Hand quits the Butt and lays hold of the Firelock a little
below the Feather Spring, the Thumb and Forefinger pointed downward.
3d. Rotate the Firelock up to the normal Present position.
SECT. VIII.
Safety Rules.
His Majesty’s Tenth Regiment of Foot is dedicated to the authentic
Reproduction of an 18th Century British Regiment. This Quest for
Authenticity, however, is seconded to safety Considerations. The following
Guidelines, therefore, are intended to maintain our impeccable safety Record,
and to insure the Safety of our Members and the Public.
7
XXVII. To the Right about Face ! Three Motions.
As in the foregoing Explanation, coming to the Right about, instead of
to the Right.
XXVIII. To the Left Face ! Three Motions.
1st. Bring the right Foot briskly to the Hollow of your Left, with the
Firelock in the same Position as in the first Motion of facing to the Right.
2d. Face to the Left.
3d. Come down to your Present.
XXIX. To the Left Face ! Three Motions.
As before.
XXX. To the Left about Face ! Three Motions.
As before, coming to the Left about, instead of to the Left.
XXXI. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
As in the two Motions of Explanation nineteen.
XXXII. Charge your Bayonets ! Two Motions.
1st. As in Explanation one.
2d. Bring the Swell of the Firelock down strong upon the Palm of the
Hand, turning upon both Heels to the Right, the right Hand grasping the
Piece at the Small behind the Lock, and as high as the Waist-Belt : The
Firelock upon a Level, with the Barrel upwards.
[It is Regimental Practice to shout “ Huzza ” as the Firelock is brought
down to the Charge.]
XXXIII. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
1st. Bring up the Firelock to the Shoulder, place the right Hand upon the
Butt, bringing the Feet square to the Front.
2d. Quit the right Hand, and throw it down the right Side.
XXXIV. Advance your Arms ! Two Motions.
1st. and 2d. As in Explanation one.
 8 37

3d. Bring the Firelock down the right Side with the right Hand, as low
as it will admit without Constraint, slipping up the left Hand at the same * * *
Time to the Swell, the Guard between the Thumb and Fore-Finger of the Passing With Arms :
right Hand, the three last Fingers under the Cock, with the Barrel to the
Pte. N.C.O. None None
Rear.
Pte. Officer Advance Advance
4th. Quit the left Hand.
N.C.O. Officer Advance Advance
Officer Senior Officer Advance Advance
XXXV. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Four Motions.
1st. Bring up the left Hand and seize it at the Swell.
2d. Come smartly up to a Poise.
3d. and 4th. Shoulder. SECT. VII.
[Though not officially Part of the Manual Exercise, in Regimental
The Funeral Exercise.
Practice the following two Motions are added ]: Art. I. Reverse Arms.28
Battalion will March on your Arms Reversed ! Reverse your Arms !
XXXVI. Unfix your Bayonets ! Three Motions.2 (from Shoulder.) Three motions.
1st. and 2d. Motions as in the two first of the Secure. 1st. Seize your Firelock with your right Hand, backward.
3d. Quit right Hand, and bring the Firelock smartly down to the left 2d. Turn the Firelock Butt uppermost, as in clubbing, only observe to
Side with the left Hand, as far as it will admit without Constraint, unfixing bring the Barrel to the Front, sinking it at the same Time, until the Guard
the Bayonet at the same Time with the right Hand, and returning it, then be at the Height of your Shoulder, and seize it at once at the Small of the
placing that Hand just below the Brass, with the Piece kept close to the Stock, above the Cock, with the left Hand, the Back of it to the Front, the
hollow of the Shoulder. four Fingers resting on the Cock, and the Thumb on the Guard.
3d. Bring the Piece under your left Arm, the Barrel downwards, the
XXXVII. Shoulder your Firelocks ! Three Motions. Butt to the Front, at the Height of your Forehead, the Muzzle to the Rear,
1st. Quit right Hand and bring up the Firelock with the Left, Seize it pointing at the Ground, keeping your left Hand in the same Position as
under the Cock with your Right, as in the second motion of the Secure. before, and left Elbow close to the Body, and at the same Time throw your
2d. Quit the left Hand, and place it strong upon the Butt. right Hand behind your Back, taking hold of the Firelock near the Swell of
3d. Quit right Hand, and bring it down the right Side. the Tailpipe, the Palm of the Hand upwards, the Thumb along the Side of
the Barrel.

Shoulder your Firelocks. Three motions.

1st. Bring the Firelock from under your Arm, with the left Hand, seizing
it backhanded with the Right, in the same Position as in the second Count
of going to the “ Reverse “.
2d. Turn the Piece, bringing your left Hand under the Butt.
3d. Cut the right Hand away.

2
Adapted from Motion XXII, Fix Your Bayonets!
28
The Norfolk Discipline, P. 86 ff
 36 9

Addressing Under Arms : 27

1
SECT.II
From : To : Action : Response :
Pte. N.C.O. Musket held across None Motions Generally Practiced
Body
N.C.O. Pte. None Musket held across
though not in the Manual Exercise.
Body Art. I. Slope Firelocks.3
N.C.O. S.M., D.M., Musket held across None Slope your Firelocks ! One Motion.
F.M. Body or Club
With the left Hand push the Firelock upwards, slipping it upon the
Halberd
Shoulder ; and at the same Time raising the Butt forward, let the Muzzle
Pte. Officer Recover Advance
drop behind, but not so low as to interfere with the Head of the Man
N.C.O. Officer Recover Advance
behind you if you were at close Order. In doing this Motion you will
Officer Senior Officer Recover Advance
naturally point the Firelock to the Right, in an oblique Position ; and it
may properly be held so far obliquely, as that the Muzzle shall be behind the
* * * right Shoulder, in a Range from Front to Rear. In this Position you will
balance and carry the Firelock in the Manner you find most easy.
Addressing Without Arms :
Pte. N.C.O. Left hand to Cap None Erect your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
N.C.O. Pte. None Left hand to Cap
Pte. Officer Remove Hat with Remove Hat with 1st. With your left Hand pull down the Butt of the Firelock to the Hip-
left Hand, or left Hand, or bone, at the same time throwing up the right Hand against the Stock below
Cap Salute with Cap Salute with the Lock, to keep the Piece to the Shoulder.
2d. Throw your right Hand down by your Side.
opp. Hand opp. Hand
N.C.O. Officer Remove Hat with Remove Hat with
Art. II. Trail Firelocks.4
left Hand, or left Hand, or
Cap Salute with Cap Salute with Trail your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
opp. Hand opp. Hand 1st. Throwing up the right Hand, seize the Firelock just below the Swell
N.C.O. S.M., D.M., Left Hand to Cap None by the Tail-pipe, and little Finger touching, of being near, the left Shoulder,
F.M. and almost as high as the Top of it.
Officer Senior Officer Remove Hat with Remove Hat with 2d. Quit the left Hand and bring the Firelock with the right Hand
left Hand, or left Hand, or down by your Side, holding it an a sloping Position, the Butt coming within
Cap Salute with Cap Salute with a few Inches of the Ground, and the Muzzle about a Foot and a Half before
opp. Hand opp. Hand the right Shoulder.

* * *
Passing Without Arms :
Same as Addressing Without Arms

3
Pickering, p. 27.
27
This Table is courtesy of Radford Polinsky. 4
Pickering, p. 29. It is called “Carry your Firelock in your right hand.”
 10
Shoulder your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Bring the Firelock against the left Shoulder, coming to the Position
of [Trail Firelocks], Motion first.
2d. Throw your right Hand down by your Side.
Art. III. Trail Firelocks (from Order).5
Trail your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
1st.BRING down the right Hand with a quick Motion striking the
Sling, and shifting your Thumb behind the Barrel.
2d. Raise the Firelock to the Trail.
Art. IV. Advance Firelocks (from Order).
Advance your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Without moving the right Hand, simply raise the Piece straight off
the Ground, seizing it at the same Time at the Swell of the Stock with the
left Hand.
2d. Quit the Muzzle with the right Hand, and seize the Piece so that the
Trigger Guard is between the Thumb and Forefinger of the right Hand and
the other three Fingers are under the Cock.
3d. Quit the left Hand sharply away to the left Side.
Art. V. Charge Bayonets .
Charge your Bayonets ! Two Motions.
The Front Rank charges only. On the second Motion, the Rear Rank
comes to the Recover.
Halt !
At which Time the Front Rank Recovers.
Shoulder your Firelocks !
The whole Shoulders.
If the Man in the Front Rank should fall, the Man in the Rank behind
will step forward into his Place, and drop the Firelock down to the Charge.
5
The Volunteer’s Companion, p. 11.
35
Time employed, either in scratching his Head, of playing with his Hat,
instead of fixing himself, in an easy, steady Position, with his Hat hanging
down by his left Thigh, and looking at the Officer, with an Air of modest,
manly Confidence, ready to answer any Questions, which may be proposed
to him.
VIII. When a Serjeant, or a Soldier, has his Arms in his Hand, and has
Occasion to address an Officer, he should immediately recover them, and
remain in that Position, until dismissed.
IX. Another Point of Civility, which Soldiers should be taught, and all
Occasions, to shew their Officers, is never to presume to pass between
them and a Wall : an Attention of this Sort, though trifling as it may appear,
plainly shews their great Respect, and places them considerably above the
lower Order of the People.
X. Merely shewing Respect to an Officer of the Regiment, to which a
Soldier belongs, does not sufficiently prove that Obedience, which ought to
be inculcated in him ; for unless he on all Occasions, behaves in the same
Manner, and pays the same Compliment to every Person, who has the
Appearance of an Officer, it is evident, that what he shews to those of his
own Corps, is more the effect of Compulsion, than a Spirit of well grounded
Discipline.
XI. When a Soldier is posted Centry, the Compliment due to every
Officer, dressed as such (without Distinction of Corps) whom he knows
not to be entitled to rested Arms [i.e. Generals, Colonels, Lt. Colonels and
Majors in Camp & Garrison,] is to stand steady and upright, with a
shouldered Firelock, until he has passed quite clear of his Post ; of which the
Officer of course, will take the proper Notice, by pulling off his Hat (a
Ceremony never to be omitted) as much through Point of Civility, as to
encourage him, for having been attentive to his Duty.
XII. In order to enforce the Consequence of Non-commission-officers,
it will be requisite, to insist on some little Mark of Respect being shewn
them, by the Soldiers, particularly when speaking to them, and which should
consist, in laying the Back of the left Hand to the Hat, on coming up, and
going off, and standing steady during the Conversation : the same
Compliment should be paid by the Serjeants and Corporals to the Serjeant-
major, and by the Drummers and Fifers, to the Drum and Fife-majors : if
a Soldier with a Firelock in his Hand, has Occasion to address a Non-
commission-officer, he should lower it across his Body ; a Corporal the
same to the Serjeant-major, and a Serjeant, with a Halbert should club it.
 34
being an indecent Liberty, and tending very much to lessen the Authority,
both of Officers and Non-commission Ones ; with the Latter of whom,
Soldiers will naturally suppose it unnecessary to Insolence with those, so
much their Superiors.
III. Soldiers should be instructed, never to avoid their Officers, through
Design, but rather to put themselves in the way of being seen, that they
may have an Opportunity to shewing their Respect, by taking off their
Hats, with the left Hand, and letting them fall in an easy, graceful Manner,
down the Thigh, with the Crown inwards ; keeping their Bodies erect,
looking full at the Officer they intend to compliment, with a manly
Confidence, and walking by him very slow : this Method, when executed
properly, will have a much more striking Effect, than only putting the Hand
to the Hat, and will be found, not to injure the Cock of it, one bit more,
notwithstanding that Objection is made against it, by several military
Persons.
IV. Grenadiers, Drummers, and all Soldiers who wear Caps, must pay
their Compliments to an Officer on passing, by bringing up the Back of the
Hand (the farthest from him) to the Front of the Cap, with a graceful Motion,
and keeping it in that Position, as long as they would remain with their
Hats off, observing at the same Time, the other Directions given in the III.
Article.
V. These Marks of Respect, which are so very becoming, from Non-
commission-Officers, Drummers and Soldiers, to their Officers, should be
taught, with as much Attention, as any other Part of their Duty, and must
be One of the first Things, in which a Recruit should be well instructed, on
his joining the Regiment, as being a principal Step, toward his acquiring a
Soldier-like Air, and laying aside the Carriage of a Clown.
VI. Though it must be an established Rule, for a Soldier never to take
off his Hat, or lay his Hand to his Cap, with his Arms in his Hand, it does
not however follow, that upon that Account, no Civility is to be paid by
him, to an Officer ; on the Contrary, he has it as much in his Power, to shew
Respect, under that Circumstance, as otherwise he could, by advancing his
Firelock, moving slow and erect, and looking him full in the Face ; to
which the Officer ought to make the same Return, as if the Soldier had
pulled his Hat off : a Serjeant also, in passing by an Officer, with his Halbert,
should carry it advanced.
VII. Nothing more strongly marks the unformed Soldier, and the
awkward Clown, than seeing One of them, when spoke to by an
Officer, under a seeming Apprehension, and Anxiety, and the whole
11
Art. VI. Support Arms.6
Support your Firelocks! Two Motions.
1st. Without stirring the Firelock, seize it with your right Hand so far
below the Lock as to give Room for the left Arm to be brought under the
Cock at the next Motion, the Thumb on the Inside, pointing upwards, the
Ball of it only touching the Piece, the upper Joints of the Fingers on the
Front of the Small of the Stock, and the lower Joints clasping round on the
Outside of it.
2d. Quitting the Butt with the left Hand, bring your left Arm close up
under the Cock, resting the left Hand upon the right Arm, the Palm nearly
on the upper Side, the Fingers mostly on the fore Side of it, extending
toward the Elbow, and the Thumb between the Arm and the Body ; the
left Arm is to be straight across the Body, in the most easy Position ; and the
Cock resting upon it near the Bend of the Elbow supports the Piece. The
position of the Firelock at the Support, if well carried, does not differ
materially from its Position when shouldered.
Shoulder your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
1st. Seize the Butt with your left Hand.
2d. Throw your right Hand down by your Side.
Art. VII. Ease Arms, &c.7
Ease Arms ! (from Order) One Motion.
Bring down your right Hand as low as you can without Constraint
with the Fingers and Thumb down the Piece, and pressing thereon, with
the back of the Hand to the Front.
Clap Hands ! One Motion.
Throw the right Hand across the Piece, clapping Hands and bending
the Knees easily.
Stand Easy !
At this Command, you may move at ease at your Place, though the left
Foot should remain firm so that at the following Command, you
6
Pickering, p. 27.
7
The Manual Exercise, Philadelphia, 1776.
 12
may quickly snap to Attention without having to adjust the Dress of the
Line.
Handle Arms ! One Motion.
Bring up your right Hand to the Muzzle and stand firm, as in the Order.
Art. VIII. Inspection of Arms.
At the Beginning of every Parade the Serjeant-Major conducts an
Inspection of Arms to be sure that the Lock and the Barrel are clear.
Open your Pans ! (From Shoulder.) Two Motions.
1st. Bring the right Thumb above the Hammer, and Forefinger under it
(but above the Flint,) and instantly force it up.
2d. Thrown the right Hand down by the Side.
Shut your Pans ! Two Motions.
1st. Raise the right Hand, Fingers extended and joined together, and
placing the Fingers on the top of the Hammer, instantly force it shut. Remain
motionless with the Fingers of the right Hand still on the top on the Hammer
and the right forearm parallel to the ground.
2d. Smartly cut the right Hand away to the right Side.
Search your Arms ! Six Motions.
1st. Bring the right Hand briskly up, and place it under the Cock, keeping
the Firelock steady in the same Position.
2d. Quit the Butt with the left Hand, and seize the Firelock with it at
the Swell, bringing the Elbow close down under the Lock : The right Hand
kept fast in this Motion, and the Piece still upright.
3d. Quit right Hand, and bring the Firelock smartly down to the left
Side with the left Hand, as far as it will admit without Constraint. Place
your right Hand, closed, with a quick and strong Motion, upon the Rammer.
4th. Draw the Rammer with a quick Motion, half out, seizing it at the
Muzzle back-handed.
5th. Draw it quite out, turn it, and enter it into the Muzzle, leaving
about a Foot of the Rammer extended, holding the Rammer with the Hand
by the Muzzle, held flat with the Fingers extended.
33
SECT. VI.
Military Courtesies.
Art. I. Saluting.
Raise the Arm sideways until it is horizontal, straighten the Fingers
and Thumb, keeping them together, with the Palm facing to the Front.
Bend the Elbow, keeping the Hand and Wrist straight, until the Tip of the
Forefinger is one Inch above the Eye, the Palm facing to the Front.
In the 18th Century, saluting might be done properly with either Hand.
The Salute is completed by dropping the Elbow forward to the Side of
the Body, then straighten the Elbow.
To salute an N.C.O. when under Arms, raise the Firelock from the
Shoulder with the left Hand and let it drop across the Body, catching it with
the right Hand at the Swell.
Art. II. Chapter XXII of Bennett Cuthbertson’s A System for the
Complete Interior Management and Oeconomy of a Battalion of Infantry :
Respect and Compliments from the Soldiers to the Non-commission-
officers, and from Both to the Officers.
Every method should be pursued, for promoting the Consequence of
Officers, in the Opinion of Soldiers, and obliging them on all Occasions,
to behave toward them with the highest Marks of Honour and Respect, as
that must lead effectually to a proper Subordination, and thereby to the
Establishment of the strictest Discipline.
II. Soldiers are therefore to be discouraged, from ever presuming to
speak to their Officers, at any Time, with the least Appearance of
Freedom, but in particular on a March, when many Corps indulge
them, in a unrestrained Manner of Behaviour, by way of passing off
the Length of the Road, and keeping up their Spirits : Such Aids
undoubtedly are sometimes necessary, when confined to proper
Bounds, but should on no Account be allowed, if the Name, of even a
Non-commission-Officer, is to be the Subject observe any Degree of
Respect, whilst they are permitted to use such of their Merriment, it
 32
change Places [by stepping Obliquely to the left, then to the right], and are
ordered by the Corporal to face to the right About. The Corporal then
gives the Word to the Whole to shoulder, and the Sentry, who has been
relieved, falls into the Rear of Those who are going to relieve : after which
the Corporal marches them to the next Post. N. B. Corporals marching with
the Reliefs, will carry their Arms Advanced.
Officers should frequently have an Eye upon the Corporals when they
relieve the Sentries ; and when they find a Corporal doing that part of his
Duty in a slovenly or irregular Manner, they should confine him, or a least
reprimand him for it.
Art. II. The Duty of Sentries upon Their Posts.26
Sentries are to stand shouldered to all Officers, whether in the Army or
Navy, passing by their Posts ; and to all general and field Officers they are
to rest their Arms. But when a Sentry is posted on a general Officer, he is
only to rest to him, and those of superior Rank ; to all of an inferior Rank
he is only to handle his Arms, or stand shouldered. Besides to the general
and field Officers, Sentries are to rest to the commanding Officer, whatever
his Rank, and to all Parties with Arms marching by with the Beat of a
Drum. These Compliments are to be paid only from the Time of Reveille-
beating in the Morning till Retreat-beating in the Evening ; after which
Sentries are to take no notice whatever of Officers.
When an Officer addresses himself to a non-commission Officer or
Soldier, the Latter is to recover his Arms ; but when on his Post, a Soldier
must not recover his Firelock, but stand shouldered.
N. B. His Majesty’s Regulations also state that: “ Sentries posted with
shouldered Arms, are permitted afterwards to support, but not to slope
them. On the approach of an Officer, they immediately carry their Arms ;
and put themselves into their proper Position, which is not to be done at the
Instant he passes, but by the Time he is within Twenty Yards of their Post,
so that they may be perfectly steady, before he comes up.”
26
The Elements of Military Arrangements, Williamson, John, Section XII.
13
6th. When the Officer passes along the Rank before you, throw the
Rammer down the Barrel against the Breech pin, instantly recovering and
seizing the Rammer back-handed at the Center, turning it and entering it
as far as the lower Pipe, placing at the same Time the Edge of the Hand on
the Butt End of the Rammer, with the Fingers extended.
Return your Rammers ! One Motion.
Return the Rammer, bringing up the Piece with the left Hand to the
Shoulder, seizing it with the right Hand under the Cock, keeping the left
Hand fast at the Swell.
Shoulder your Firelocks ! Two Motions.
1st. Quit the left Hand and place it strong upon the Butt.
2d. Quit the right Hand and throw it down the right Side.
Art. IX. Club Firelocks.8
Club your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Seize the Piece with your right Hand on the Inside, at the Height of
your Chin, turning the Thumb downwards, and the Back of the Hand
towards you, raising it perpendicular from your Shoulder.
2d. Turn the Piece briskly with your right Hand, bringing the Butt
uppermost, and the Lock outwards to the Front, keeping your right Hand
at the same Height of your Chin, and seize it with your left Hand about an
Inch from the End of the Stock, holding it perpendicular, over-against your
left Shoulder, and about six Inches from it.
N. B. In Clubbing, bring the Barrel of the Firelock forward, drawing
the Butt under your left Arm so as to bring it between you and the left-
hand Man. The same Precaution is to be used in shouldering from a Club ;
without which you will be apt to hit and hurt one another, which you never
will, by observing this Rule.
3d. With your left Hand bring the Piece briskly against your Shoulder
and throw your right Hand down by your right Side.
.
8
The Norfolk Discipline.
 14
Shoulder your Firelocks ! Three Motions.
1st. Seize the Piece at the Swell of the Tail-pipe with your right Hand,
the Thumb turned downwards, as in the 1st motion of Clubbing, bringing
it off from your Shoulder perpendicular.
2d. Turn the Muzzle upwards, and place your left Hand under the Butt,
as in the Motion of Shouldering, taking care to bring the Barrel outwards
towards the Front, and holding it perpendicular over-against your Shoulder,
and about six Inches from it.
3d. Give the Firelock a throw against your left Shoulder with your left
Hand, bringing the Hand against the Hip briskly, and throw your right
Hand down by your right Side.
[Clubbing was a convenient alternative Way of carrying one’s Musket
on the March. This was also used in Battle to indicate that to the Enemy
that one had surrendered, and is employed in our tactical Exercises as a
Sign that one has been taken out of the Action.]
Art. X. Port Arms.9
Port Arms ! (from Return Rammers) One Motion.
It is always done without the Word. The Firelock is thrown up with
the left Hand to a sloping Position across the Body, the same Hand catching
it up at the Swell, on a Line with the left Shoulder ; the right Hand at the
same Time seizing it under the Guard, the Thumb resting on the Breech-
pin.
Port Arms ! (from Recover) One motion.
The Firelock is turned with the right Hand, and placed in the same
Position, as mentioned in the Former.
SECT. III.
Of Marching and Wheeling.
Art. I. Position of a Soldier Under Arms.10
To stand streight and firm upon his Legs ; Head turned to the
Right : Heels close : Toes a little turned out ; the Belly drawn in a little,
9
The Volunteer’s Companion.
10
The Manual Exercise, New York, 1775.
31
Art. VI. Oblique Firing.25
When a Battalion is ordered to fire obliquely to the Right, the front
Rank turns on the left Heel, throwing the right Leg back to the Left of the
Rear Rank Men of that File ; the Rear Rank turns on the right Heel,
stepping forward with the left Toe to the Front Rank Men of that File.
Present. Fire.
The Whole come to their proper Front, load and shoulder.
Oblique Firing to the Left.
The Front Rank turns on the left Heel, stepping back with the right
Foot to the Right of the Rear Rank Men of that File ; the Rear Rank turns
on the left Heel, stepping forward, with the right Toe to the Front Rank Heels
of the same File.
Present. Fire.
The Whole come to their proper Front, load and shoulder.
N. B. In both the above Firings, the Officers go in the Rear of the
Intervals.
SECT. V.
Sentries.
Art. I. The Manner of Relieving Sentries.
The Corporals are always to march their Reliefs in a regular
Manner. When they come within a few Paces of the Sentry to be
relieved, they order their Men to halt, and present their Arms ; and the
Sentry is to Rest at the same time. The First who is to go on Duty then
advances close up to the Sentry, and recovers his Arms ; the Sentry
recovers at the same Time, and gives the Orders relative to the Post ;
which the Corporal must attend to, lest any Mistake of Omission
should be made in the Orders. So soon as the Orders are delivered, they
25
Simes, op. cit., p 260.
 30
Instant they have shouldered, they advance briskly, to gain the proper
Distance at which Divisions ought to march.
When the First Platoon has cleared the Front, the Officer commanding
gives the Word,
March !
When the Second Platoon comes up to the Ground from whence the
First Platoon wheeled off, he gives the Word,
Halt ! Make Ready ! Present ! Fire !
and they follow in every respect the Directions before given ; as do all
the other Companies.
If the Street Firing is to be performed advancing, when the First Platoon
has fired and moved off, the next Platoon is advanced as far as the
commanding Officer shall determine. They halt, fire, and move off ; and
the Others observe the same Directions.
If the Street Firing is to be performed retreating, the Column is halted :
and when the First Platoon has fired and moved off, the next Platoon
makes ready and comes down without advancing ; the Others observe the
same Directions, firing in their Places.
Art. V. Parapet Firing 24
The Battalion dresses in Open Order.
Make Ready !
The Front Rank, with the Officers, March up to the Breast Work, or
Parapet ; the Men with recovered Arms, and the Officers with theirs
Advanced, who then gives the Word of Command,
Present ! Fire !
After which they recover their Arms, go to the right About ; and upon
the Word,
March !
They go to the Rear ; the other Rank marching up with Intervals open
for them to pass through.
24
Adapted from Simes, The Military Medley, p 260.
15
but without Constraint ; the Breast a little projected ; Shoulders square to
the Front, and kept back ; the right Hand hanging streight down the Side,
with the Palm close to the Thigh ; the left Elbow not to be turned out from
the Body ; the Firelock to be carried on the left Shoulder, as low down as
can be admitted without Constraint ; the three last Fingers under the Butt
; the Fore-Finger and Thumb before the Swell ; the Flat of the Butt to be
supported against the Hip-Bone, and to be pressed so that the Firelock may
be felt against the left Side, and that it may stand before the Hollow of the
Shoulder, not leaning towards the Head nor from it ; the Barrel almost
perpendicular.
To be very exact in counting a Second of Time, or One, Two, between
each Motion.
In dressing Ranks, the Soldiers must observe, to stand upright, and
without stooping to cast their Eyes smartly to the Right and Left, and see
the Third Man’s Breast, taking Care to keep six Inches distance between the
Files. In covering their File Leaders, they must look between their Heads
and the Firelocks.
It is practiced that in the Front Rank, the Soldiers (except the right-
hand Man) stand with their Heads turned slightly to the Right so that the
left Eye is directly over the Waistcoat Buttons. In the Rear Rank they
stand looking straight ahead, covering the File Leader.
The Soldiers stand with 30 Inches between Ranks, or the Distance of an
out-stretched Arm. At Close Order they stand with six Inches between
Files, or the Distance of the Arm with the Palm placed upon the Hip with
the Elbow extending sideways. At Open Order they stand with 30 Inches
between Files, or the Distance of an out-stretched Arm.
The Quick Step at 120 Steps per Minute ; at the Slow Step at 60 Steps
per Minute.
Upon the March, swing the Arm forward nine Inches while keeping the
Fingers together and extended.
 16
Art. II. The Slow Step.11
When you lift up the Foot carry it forward near, and almost parallel to
the Ground, (the Toe being turned out, and rather pointed downwards than
else) till the Knee is straight, when you are to make a momentary Pause,
but so as to be to be scarcely perceptible ; during which the Balance of the
Body is to be kept back on the Leg, that is behind ; then setting the advanced
Foot flat on the Ground, (advancing it withal still farther, in bringing it
down, and keeping Time with the Music) step forward in the same Manner
with the other Foot. Care must be taken not to drag forward in a lifeless,
sluggish Manner, the Foot that is behind ; but the Instant one Foot strikes
the Ground, spring the Other forward briskly, till the Knee is straight, that
you may be ready, when the Music bids, to set your Foot to the Ground.
In performing the Slow-Step, the Feet when advancing should be carried
over a little to the opposite Side, and both set down on the same Line,
otherwise the Body will reel disagreeably. For instance ; if you walk on the
Crack of a Floor, at every Step you should cover the Crack with your Heel.
Art. III. The Route Step.
The Route Step is performed where keeping the Step is not practical.
You may march at your own Pace and carry your Firelock as you see fit,
but the Dress in Ranks should be maintained.
Art. IV. Facings.
To the Right Face ! Two Motions.
1st. The right Foot to be brought close up to the left Heel.
2d. Face to the Right, turning upon both Heels.
To the Right Face ! Three Motions.
1st. and 2d. As in the foregoing Explanation, coming to the Right about,
instead of to the Right.
3d. Bring the right Foot back even with the Left.
To the Left Face ! Two Motions.
1st. Bring the right Foot briskly to the Hollow of your Left.
11
Pickering, p. 48.
29
makes ready, presents, and fires ; then recovers and faces to the right About,
marches with a quick Step into the Rear of the First, fronts and loads. In
this Manner both Ranks retire, supporting each Other. When the Fire in
retiring is to cease, the commanding Officer gives the Command to halt.
Art. IV. Street Firing.22
The Street Firing is so called from your being obliged to engage in a
Street, High-way, Lane, or narrow Passage, where a Battalion can only
march in Divisions, Companies, or Platoons ; and whether the Firing is to
be performed by One or the Other, must be determined by the Width of the
Pass you want to defend ; as no more Space must be left on the Flanks,
than is necessary for the Men to retreat by Files, into the Rear.
To perform the Street Firing, form the Battalion into a Column. As
soon as the Column is formed, the commanding Officer will advance the
Column, then give the word,
Halt ! Make Ready ! Present ! Fire !
At the first Word, Halt ! the Platoon halts ; the Front Rank instantly
bringing up their Feet square ; and the Rear Ranks close up to Close Order,
and halt : then the Platoon goes on to perform the three other Words of
Command as the Officer gives them. As soon as the Platoon has fired, they
come instantly to a Recover, and the Officer gives the Words,
To the Right and Left, Turn !
Upon which, the Half on the Right, turn to the Right, and wheel
by Files ; and the Half on the Left, turn to the Left, and wheel by
Files ; and march down the Flanks briskly, with a full Step : when they
are past the Rear of the Whole, they halt and face About, and then
wheel by Files to the Right and Left inwards, the Half on the Right
wheeling to the Left, and the Half on the Left wheeling to the Right ;
which forms them in the Rear of the Battalion23 : they then immediately
front, and proceed to prime, load, and shoulder, very quick. The
22
Adapted from Pickering, p. 11 9ff.
23
This brings the Ranks to their proper Order; whereas if the Files had
begun to wheel inwards before the Whole had turned to the right About,
the Rear Ranks would have come into the Front.
 28 17

the Butt with right Hand, as in the foregoing Explanation of the 2d. Face to the Left.
Front Rank.
Fire ! To the Left about Face ! Three Motions.

As in Explanation four in the Manual, with this Difference, that the
Left Foot is to be brought back to the Right at the same Time that the
Firelock is brought down to the priming Position.
The loading Motions as in the Explanations of Priming and Loading,
and at the last Motion of shouldering, to spring to the Left again and cover
the File-Leaders.
Art. III. Firing by Ranks in Extended Order.
Of Firing on the Spot.
The commanding Officer then orders the Front Rank only to make
ready, present, and fire, then prime and load. He then orders the Rear
Rank to do the same. They make ready, and fire through the Intervals of
the Front Rank. In this Manner the Fire is continued on the Spot.
Of Firing in Advancing.
In firing advancing, the commanding Officer first orders the Front Rank
only to make ready, present, and fire. On this, the Rear Rank is commanded
to march forward through the Intervals of the Front Rank as far as the
Officer thinks fit. As soon as the Rank which has fired is loaded, the new
Front Rank makes ready, presents, and fires, and the Rank behind will
accordingly march forward through the Intervals of the Front Rank. Thus
each Rank continues advancing and firing alternately. If the Firing in
advancing is to cease, the commanding Officer gives the Command to halt.
N. B. The Rank which happens to be in the Front, whichever it may be,
is addressed as the Front Rank when Commands are given.
1st. and 2d. As before, coming to the Left about, instead of to the Left.
3d. Bring the right Foot up even with the Left.
Art. V. Halting.12
Company, Halt !
Let the rear Foot be brought upon a Line with the advanced One, so as
to finish the Step which was taking when the Command was given.
As the Battalion is halted, each Company halts on the Command of its
own Commander.
Dress !
Quickly adjust the Dress of the Ranks by taking small, shuffling Steps.
Art. VI. Taking Open Distance.
The Battalion will prepare to open Ranks. Rear Rank, take open
Distance !
THE Rear Rank and Serjeants face to the Right About.
Quick March !
The Rear Rank marches three Paces. The Serjeants march seven Paces.
The Officers march forward four Paces.
To the Front, Face !
The Rear Rank and Serjeants face to the Right About. The Serjeants
order their Arms. The Officers support their Swords or plant their Arms.

Of Firing in Retreating.
At the Command, the Front Rank, (namely that which happens to
be in Front) makes ready, presents, and fires. It then recovers, goes to
the right About, marches with a quick Step Behind the Rear Rank as
far as the Officer thinks fit, fronts and loads. As soon as the
Commander of the new Front Rank sees that the one which has fired is
formed and loaded, he give the Command, upon which the Front Rank
12
Rules and Regulations for the Formations, Field Exercises, and Movements
of His Majesty s’ Forces, William Fawcett, Adjutant General, 1792, p. 7.
 18
The Battalion will prepare to close Ranks. Rear Rank, take open
Distance !
The Officers face to the Right About.
Quick March !
The Rear Rank, the Serjeants, and the Officers return to their former
Positions.
To the Front, Face !
The Officers face to the Right About.
Art. VII. Wheeling.
The Battalion will wheel to the Right (Left.)
To the Right (Left), Wheel.
In all Wheelings to the Right, the Men must cast their Eyes to the
Left, except the Left-Hand Man : And all Wheelings to the Left, they cast
their Eyes to the Right, except the Right-Hand Man, observing to feel the
Hand they wheel to, without crouding upon it.13
The whole Rank is governed by the Flank that wheels. In wheeling,
therefore, to the Right, every Man should look to the Left, and regulate his
Steps to those of his left-hand Man ; in order not to advance before, or fall
behind him, but to bring the Rank about even. In the same Manner, in
wheeling to the Left, every Man is to look to the Right, and to regulate his
Steps by those of his right-hand Man.14
If the Front Rank wheels regularly, the Rear Ranks will have nothing
to attend to, by to preserve their Close Order, and cover their File Leaders.
To do this indeed will require considerable Attention ; for the Ranks are
extremely apt to open on the wheeling Flank, and to close too near, so as
even to croud, at the Center-Flank.
In wheeling to the Right, the Rear Ranks must incline to the Left ; and
in wheeling to the Left, the Rear Ranks must incline to the Right ; otherwise
they cannot keep exactly behind their File-Leaders . . . using a
Step similar, in a greater or less degree, to the Oblique ; although as
13
The Manual Exercise, New York, 1775.
14
Pickering, p.54.
27
Front ; at the same Time raise up the butt so high upon the right Shoulder,
that you may not be obliged to stoop too much with the Head, the right
Cheek to be close to the Butt, and the left Eye shut, and look along the
Barrel with the right Eye from the Breech Pin to the Muzzle ; keep the left
Elbow down in an easy Position, and stand as steady as possible, the Thumb
of the right Hand to remain in the Position as described in the third
Explanation of the Manual.
Fire !
Pull the Tricker as directed in the Manual, and as soon as the Piece is
fired, bring the right Heel close to the Left ; at the same Time the Firelock
is to be brought up to the priming Position, and half cocked immediately ;
a short Pause is to be made, then handle Cartridges, and go on with the
loading Motions described in the Explanation of Prime and Load.
Rear Rank.21
Make Ready !
Spring the Firelock briskly to the Recover ; as soon as The left Hand
seizes the Firelock above the Lock, the right Elbow is to be nimbly raised a
little, placing the Thumb of that Hand upon the Cock, the Fingers open by
the Plate of the Lock and as quick as possible force the Piece to the Cock, by
dropping the Elbow, and forcing down the Cock with the Thumb, stepping
briskly streight to the Right with the right Foot a full Pace bringing the left
Heel about six Inches before the right Foot. As the Firelock is cocked, the
Thumb is to fall below the Cock, the right Hand seizing the Firelock close
under the Cock firmly ; the Fore-Finger not to be before the Tricker : The
Piece to be held in this Position perpendicular opposite the left Side of the
Face, the Butt close to the left Breast, but not pressed, the Body to be up,
looking to the Right of the Rank, that the Body and Firelock may not
stoop forward, nor lean much out of the Rank.
Present !
Spring the Firelock from the Body to Arms length with a quick
Motion, pressing down the Muzzle with the left Hand, and spring up
21
This is a melding of the descriptions for the Center Rank and Rear Rank
in the Manual Exercise for the Rear Rank in a two rank formation.
 26
As the Body is sinking, the right Knee is to be thrown so far back as the
left Leg may be right up and down, the right Foot to be thrown a little to
the Right, the Body to be kept streight, the Head up, looking to the Right
along the Rank, the same as if shouldered ; the Firelock to be upright, and
the Butt about four Inches to the Right of the Inside of the left Foot.
Present !
Bring the Firelock briskly down to the Present, by extending the left
Arm to the full Length with a strong Motion ; at the same Time spring up
the Butt by the Cock with the right Hand, and raise up the butt so high
upon the right Shoulder, that you may not be obliged to stoop too much
with the Head, the right Cheek to be close to the Butt, and the left Eye
shut, and look along the Barrel with the right Eye from the Breech Pin to
the Muzzle ; keep the left Elbow down in an easy Position, and stand as
steady as possible, the Thumb of the right Hand to remain in the Position
as described in the third Explanation of the Manual.
Fire !
Pull the Tricker as directed in the Manual, and as soon as the Piece is
fired, give yourself a strong Spring upon your left Leg, raising your Body
briskly and streight up, keeping your left Foot fast, and bringing the right
Heel close to the Left ; at the same Time the Firelock is to be brought up to
the priming Position, and half cocked immediately ; a short Pause is to be
made, then handle Cartridges, and go on with the loading Motions described
in the Explanation of Prime and Load.
Front Rank (Standing).
Make Ready !
Spring the Firelock briskly to the Recover, keeping the left Foot fast in
this Motion ; as soon as the Firelock is at the Recover, the Firelock is to be
cocked, placing your Thumb upon the Breech Pin, and the Fingers under
the guard, the Head looking to the Right along the Rank, the same as if
shouldered.
Present !
Bring the Firelock briskly down to the Present, by extending the
left Arm to the full Length with a strong Motion and step back about
six Inches to the Rear with the right Foot, bringing the left Toe to the
19
you approach the wheeling Flank, especially if the Ranks are long, the
Obliquity, or Inclination sideways, is hardly perceptible.15
Art. VIII. The Oblique Step.16
The Battalion will Oblique to the Right (Left.)
To the Right (Left), Oblique.
Front.
The Oblique Step is to be performed in the same Time and Manner, as
to the Motion of the Feet and Legs, as that straight forward, only that it is
made by carrying them obliquely to the Right or Left, the Body being kept
square to the proper Front.
If you are to incline to the Right, when you step with the left Foot, you
carry it across, setting it down even with and before the Point of the right
Foot, the left Toe pointing to the front : and then step obliquely to the Right
with the right Foot, advancing it towards the Front, and setting it down
before, and about six Inches to the Right of the Point of the left Foot, the
Toe pointing obliquely to the Right ; and so alternately, moving towards
the Front on a diagonal Line, inclining to the Right ; observing to keep the
Body and Shoulders square to your proper Front.
In marching by the Oblique Step, in Ranks or Divisions, particular
Attention is to be given, that they keep parallel to their proper Front ; and
not advance on the right Flank, when they incline to the Left ; nor on the
Left, when inclining to the Right ; as they are exceedingly apt to do, and to
make as it were a half Wheel : to prevent this, the Men must be taught to
look to the Right, when they incline to the Left ; and to the Left, when
they incline to the Right ; and to regulate themselves by the outside Flank ;
observing by all Means to advance equally, and keep even with it.
.
15
Pickering, p. 67.
16
The Norfolk Discipline, Part II, p.26.
 20
Art. IX. Turning.17
The Battalion will turn (about) to the Right (Left).
To the Right (Left) (about), Turn.
There is another Method which we have seen practiced by the 67th and
72d Regiments, which has a most excellent Effect ; and that is the
accustoming the Men to turn to the Right or Left, or to the right and left
About, in marching, without halting, or losing the Step. This is done by
each Man turning singly ; in two Steps, if only to the Right or Left, stepping
off forward at the Third ; and in Four, if to the right of left About, stepping
off at the Fifth : they must observe not to advance in the least in turning ;
but to turn each Man precisely upon his own Ground, and to keep the
Time of the Step exactly. This Method greatly facilitates and abridges the
Performance of many of the Evolutions, which by this Means are executed
without halting the Men in order to face them ; and consequently causes
the Evolutions to be performed much quicker, and with more Accuracy ; as
the Men constantly keep a uniform and regular Step. This also we have
endeavoured to teach our Militia Men, and find that we succeed in it beyond
our Expectation, and that they learn it without much Difficulty.
Art. X. Indian File.18
The Battalion will Advance by Indian Files from the Right (Left.)
From the Right (Left), Advance.
The right hand file of each Subdivision stands fast, the Others face to
the Right.
Quick March,
The Whole step off in quick Time, the right (left) File gaining Ground
to the Front. As each File comes to the Ground, the right (left) File marched
from, it is to turn to the Left (Right), making one Front.
Form Front !
The right (left) hand File stands fast, the other Files march obliquely,
forming on the Left (Right) of the right (left) hand Files.
17
The Norfolk Discipline, Appendix to Ch. 2d, Art. 2d, § IV, p. 27.
18
The Volunteer’s Companion, p.21.
25
7th. Cast about !
8th. and 9th. Load !
[N. B. As Rammers are never used in loading, Motions 10 – 13 are
never practiced.]
10th. and 11th. Draw Rammers !
12th. Ram down Cartridge !
13th. Return the Rammers !
14th. and 15th. Shoulder !
N. B. The Motion of Recover and coming down to the priming Position,
and opening Pans, to be done in the usual Time.
The Motions of handling Cartridge, to shutting the Pans, to be done as
quick as possible ; when the Pans are shut, a small Pause is to be made, and
cast about together ; then the loading Motions are to be done as quick as
possible ; but before the Rammer is return’d, another small Pause is to be
made, counting one, two, between each Motion, ’till the Firelock is
shouldered.
As the Firelock is brought to the Recover, the Rear Rank is to step a full
Pace to the Right, bringing the left Foot over next to the Right. The loading
Motions are as in the Explanations of Priming and Loading. At the last
Motion of shouldering, spring to the Left again and cover the File-Leaders.
Art. II. Explanations of the Position of Each Rank in the Firings.20
Front Rank (Kneeling).
Make Ready !
Spring the Firelock briskly to the Recover, keeping the left Foot fast in
this Motion ; as soon as the Firelock is at the Recover, without any stop
sink the Body briskly without stooping forward, with a quick Motion down
upon the right Knee, the Butt-End of the Firelock as the same Time falls
upon the Ground ; the front Part of the Butt to be in a line with the Heel of
the left Foot ; as soon as the Butt comes to the Ground, the Firelock is to be
cocked, immediately seizing the Cock and Steel in the right Hand, the
Firelock to be held firm in the left Hand, about the Middle of that Part of
the Firelock between the Lock and the Swell of the Stock ; the Point of the
left Thumb to be close to the Swell pointing upwards.
20
The Manual Exercise, New York, 1775.
 24 21

Company will prepare to close Ranks. Rear Rank, take close
Distance.
As Above, except that the Front Rank steps in Place for three Steps
while the Rear Rank continues to march.
Art. XI. Advance from the Centre.
Company will advance from the Centre. From the Centre, Advance.
The two centre Files stand fast while the remaining Files face towards
the Centre.

Art. XV. Dispersing. Quick March.

Take care to Disperse ! Quick March ! Five Motions. The centre Files advance, while the remaining Files advance into the
Centre, turn, and follow by Pairs after the first Files to form a Column.
1st., 2d., & 3d. Face to the right About.rward.
4th. Take one Pace forward.
Form Front !
5th. Break off.
The centre Files stand fast, the other Files march obliquely, forming on
the Right and Left of the centre hand Files.
SECT. IV.
The Firings.
Art. XII. Advance from the Right (Left).
Art. I. The Rapid Fire Sequence.
Battalion ! By the Right (Left) advance by Files.
Prime and Load ! Fifteen Motions.
The two right (left) Files stand fast while the remaining Files face to
1st. Come smartly to the Recover, by springing the Firelock streight up the Right (Left).
with the left Hand, turning the Barrel inwards to the proper Height of the
Recover ; at the same Time that the left Hand springs the Firelock, the Quick March.
right Hand is raised briskly from the right Side, and seizes the Firelock a-
cross the Breast ; as it rises below the Cock, the left Hand comes with a The right-hand (left-hand) Files advance, while the remaining Files
quick Motion from the Butt, and seizes the Firelock strong above the Lock, advance to the Right (Left), wheel by Files to the Left (Right), and follow
the little Finger of the left Hand at the Spring of the Lock, the left Hand at after those which moved forward.
an equal Height with the Eyes, the Butt close to the left Breast, but not
pressed, the Firelock perpendicular, opposite the left Side of the Face. Form Front !
2d. Bring the Firelock down with a brisk Motion to the priming The two leading Files stand fast;; the others face to the Left (Right).
Position (See “ The Manual Exercise,” Art. IV,) the left Hand holding the
Firelock as in priming, the Thumb of the right Hand placed against the Quick March.
Face of the Steel, the Fingers clenched, and the Elbow a little turned out,
Those which had faced then wheel to the Right (Left) ; which forms the
that the Wrist may be clear of the Cock.
Battalion to its former Front.
3d. Open the Pan by throwing up the Steel with a strong Motion of
the right Arm, turning the Elbow in, and keeping the Firelock steady in
the left Hand.
4th. Handle the Cartridge !
5th. Prime !
6th. Shut Pans !
 22
If Ordered to Retreat.
Battalion ! Retreat by Files by the Right.
The two right Files face to the Right-about while the remaining Files
face to the Right.
Quick March.
The two right-hand Files retreat ; and the Files follow the two which
lead.
Form Front !
The two leading Files stand fast ; the others face to the Right.
Quick March.
Those which had faced then wheel to the Left ; when they have completed
their Wheelings, the whole Battalion comes to its proper Front by the
Word of Command :
To the Right-about, Face !
N. B. When this Manœvre is done from the Left, the Facings and
Wheelings are to be varied accordingly.
Art. XIII. Extending Ranks.19
When the Company is formed at close Order, and is required to extend
to the Left, the Words of Command will be given as follows :
To the Left, Extend.
The Company, except the right hand File faces to the Left.
Quick March.
At this Word of Command, the Company, except the right hand
File, moves on in quick Time, casting the Eyes over the right Shoulder,
so that each File when at two Paces distance from his right hand File
may halt, front, and dress by the Right. The Rear Rank steps to the
Right, in order if necessary to march or fire without Impediment
through the Intervals of the Front Rank. This is the usual Distance
19
Adapted from Regulations for the Exercise of Ri flemen and Light Infantry,
The War Office, 1799.
23
between Files, at which Troops when ordered to extend will form ; but in
particular Cases when they are required to cover the front of a Corps, or
make a Manœvre, the commanding Officer will signify at what Distance
the Files are to form from each Other, before he gives the Order for them to
extend themselves.
When the Company is to extend from the Left, the Word of Command
will be given :
To the Right, Extend.
The Whole, except the left hand File, face to the Right, in taking their
Distance look over the left Shoulder, halt, front and dress by the Left. The
Rear Rank, as in opening to the Left, take Ground to the Right of their
File Leaders.
When to extend from the Center, the Word of Command will be given
:
From the Center, Extend.
At which the right Wing face and move to the Right, as in extending
from the Left ; the left Wing performs the same Movements as when
extending from the Right, the Center File, which is the File before which
the commanding Officer gives the Command, stands fast.
On the Signal to close,
To the Right (Left, Center), Close.
The Company, except the right Hand (left Hand, center) File faces to
the Right (Left, Center).
Quick March.
At this Word of Command, the Company, closes briskly to return to
Close Order, halts, fronts, and dresses by the Right.
Art. XIV. Opening Ranks at a Slow Step.
Company will prepare to open Ranks. Rear Rank, take open
Distance.
Beginning with the right Foot, for three Steps, instead of thrusting the
Foot forward, the Rear Rank lifts the Knee high with the Toe pointed
downwards, and sets it down in Place next to the Other. After the three
Steps, the left Foot is thrust forward again to advance. The Front Rank
continues to march.